Mary Catherine Stone, 87, from Park Hall, MD passed away surrounded by many loving family on November 19, 2013 in Park Hall, MD. Born on October 6, 1926 in Mechanicsville, MD she was the daughter of the late Hilary Francis and Lillian Mae Pilkerton Hill.

Mary Catherine was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 67 years, Raymond Hammett Stone.

She is survived by her children and in laws; Mary Ann (Paul) Bean of Mechanicsville, MD; Ernest Francis (Kathie) Stone, Teresa Kaye (J. Wayne) Wood, Betty Lynn (Thomas) Klug, all of Park Hall, MD; John W. (Deanna) Stone of Lexington Park, MD; and daughter-in-law, Joyce Ann Stone Bean of St. Mary's City, MD; 18 grandchildren, Tony, Steve, and Tommy Bean; Paul, Danny, Jason and Shawn Stone; Jimmy and Keith Stone; Chuck, Christy, Kevin, Ricky, Jeanette and Denise Wood; Lynn and Peter Klug; and Johnny Stone; 12 great-grandchildren; Nichole and Michael Bean; Katie, Kevin, Adriana and Angelina Bean; Brandon and Corey Bean; Paul Stone, II, Jason and Amelia Stone, and Archer Ashworth; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sibling; Ellen Hewitt, Woodrow Hill, Thomas Hill, Patsy Wood, Audie Sydnor, Michael Hill, Gladys Long, Mildred Hall, Sandra Guy and Kathleen Hindt.

In addition to her parents, Mary Catherine was preceded in death by her son Raymond Martin Stone, and brothers; Joseph D. Hill and Rudy Pilkerton.

Mary Catherine attended upper grades of St. Michael's Elementary when the family moved from Mechanicsville, graduated from high school there in 1945, was married at St. Michael's Catholic Church on October 12, 1946, and then years later taught at St. Michael's Elementary for many years. She graduated from St. Mary's College of MD in 1980 and was employed there at the library for a few years.

She was always very community minded and forward-thinking. She belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America for many years; volunteered and served as president a short while at Birthright; did the Serra Club; Ladies of Charity at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in St. Mary's City, as well as their Liturgy Committee, Chair, and helping found the St. Cecilia's Food Pantry; and helped coordinate dinner schedules for Three Oaks Shelter.

At home she loved cooking and entertaining; her Sunday night dinners were well known and well attended. She gardened, canned, preserved, worked flowers, always reading something, crocheted, worked puzzles-jigsaw or word, had time to spoil and spend time with all the grandchildren and greats.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 24, 2013 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM with prayers recited at 3:00 PM in St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, St. Mary's City, MD with Father Scott Woods officiating. Interment will follow in St. James Catholic Cemetery Lexington Park, MD. Pallbearers; Tony Bean, Shawn Stone, Jimmy Stone, Kevin Wood, Peter Klug, and Johnny Stone. Honorary remaining grandchildren and Great grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650, and/or St. Cecilia's Food Pantry, 47950 Mattapony Road St., Mary's City, MD 20686. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.